make somebody out

make out somebody

make out something

make somebody out

make something out

1to manage to see somebody/something or read or hear somethingsynonymdistinguishI could just make out a figure in the darkness.make out what, who, etc…I could hear voices but I couldn't make out what they were saying.Synonymsidentifyknowrecognizenamemake somebody/​something outThese words all mean to be able to see or hear somebody/​something and especially to be able to say who or what they are.identify to be able to say who or what somebody/​something is:She was able to identify her attacker.know to be able to say who or what something is when you see or hear it because you have seen or heard it before Know is used especially to talk about sounds that seem familiar and when somebody recognizes the quality or opportunity that somebody/​something represents:I couldn’t see who was speaking, but I knew the voice.She knows a bargain when she sees one.recognize to know who somebody is or what something is when you see or hear them/​it, because you have seen or heard them/​it before:I recognized him as soon as he came in the room.name to say the name of somebody/​something in order to show that you know who/​what they are:The victim has not yet been named.make somebody/​something out to manage to see or hear somebody/​something that is not very clear:I could just make out a figure in the darkness.Patterns to identify/​know/​recognize somebody/​something by something to identify/​recognize/​name somebody/​something as somebody/​something to identify/​know/​recognize/​make out who/​what/​how… to easily/​barely/​just identify/​recognize/​make out somebody/​something

2to say that something is true when it may not besynonymclaimShe's not as rich as people make out.make out that…He made out that he had been robbed.make somebody/something out to be/do somethingShe makes herself out to be smarter than she really is.

make somethingout

1to write out or complete a form or documentHe made out a cheque for €100.The doctor made out a prescription for me.Applications must be made out in triplicate.

2(used in negative sentences and questions)to understand something; to see the reasons for somethingHow do you make that out (= what are your reasons for thinking that)?make out what, why, etc…I can't make out what she wants.